Hand carrier for a long arm firearm

ABSTRACT

A hand carrier for long arm firearms having a handle and a single strand of wire bent to form two saddles to grip and support the firearm with an open end of the wire detachably attached to the handle and a closed end of the wire being held in the handle for a closed carrying position and removed from the handle for an open position for inserting the firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the easy, less fatiguing carrying of a longarm firearm (rifle, shotgun, or muzzle loader), and, more particularly,to an easy-to-use carrier having two cooperating members for cradlingand securely holding a long arm firearm and a handle for holding thecarrier.

2) Related Art

Slings have been employed with hand-carried firearms by both hunters andmilitary personnel for many years. The purpose of such devices is torelieve the bearer from the burden of carrying the long arm firearm(normally a rifle) with his arms except during those periods of time inwhich it is anticipated that the firearm will be used, or is actuallybeing used. The conventional sling, although permitting the firearmbearer to do other things with his hands, does not permit access to thefirearm quickly in a combat or hunting situation. Thus, the conventionalsling, a flexible strap connected at the forward end of the firearm to aterminal and to a terminal at the gun stock end (normally on theunderside of the rear portion of the stock) permits the firearm to beeither suspended from one shoulder of the bearer or to be carrieddiagonally across the back of the firearm bearer. In the event that thefirearm must be aimed and discharged quickly, both of theabove-described carrying positions require time to reorient the firearm,time which may not be available. These manipulations are madeadditionally cumbersome when the bearer is wearing thick or heavyclothing or is restricted in his movement by his surroundings. Also, thebarrel of the firearm being carried, unless extremely short, tends tocatch on vegetation and other impediments to travel, causing unduecrouching and maneuvering by the bearer. In addition, contact with anyimpediment creates unwanted sound.

Another problem with conventional slings is that they normally must beadjusted to fit both the firearm and the bearer, thus precluding rapidchange in use to another firearm or use by another bearer.

Typically, when the bearer of a firearm anticipates that discharge isimminent, he ceases using the sling and carries the firearm diagonallyacross his chest with one hand on the forearm of the stock and the otherhand on the grip of the butt stock. Should the need to discharge thefirearm lessen, but still be likely, the bearer will use the one-handcarry. However, the unaided across-the-chest carry and the unaidedone-hand carry are very fatiguing.

An attempt to address these problems of the conventional sling has beenmade by a device disclosed in U.S. Pat. D346,473 to Virgil Franks, theinventor of the carrier of this application. This patent discloses adevice that has a handle permanently attached to a cradle which supportsthe firearm being carried. However, it has been found that the designsuffers from several disadvantages.

The cradle, having a front member and a back member that are permanentlyattached to the handle, cannot be easily repaired.

The handle being made of two pieces requires more handling and machiningthan a one-piece handle. If the handle is made of wood, considerableloss will occur during production of the handle pieces because ofirregularities and defects in lumber stock and difficulty in machiningto the necessary tolerances of the design. If molded from plasticmaterial or other material, the cost of the handle increases.

Although, not evident from the patent, it has been found that theattaching and detaching of the carrier of the design shown in the patentrequires considerable practice to avoid pinching of the fingers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a hand carrier for a long armfirearm comprises an elongated, cylindrical handle attached to agrasping cradle. The handle is made of one piece of hard materialgrooved and drilled to permit releasable attachment to the graspingcradle. The grasping cradle has a front and back member, both of whichare U-shaped at the bottom to securely hold the long arm firearm. Thesemembers are joined to a closed-end member and open-end member in formingthe cradle. The front and back members have a right and left side thatare essentially symmetrical about a centerline through the U at thebottom and middle of the cross-section of the handle at the top. In theclosed position, the only visible deviation in symmetry is the greaterheight of the right side of the front and back members. This greaterheight allows the overlap of the closed-end right side member over theopen-end left side member.

The open-end left-side member is held in place in the handle by abushing, washer, and screw at the front of the handle and by anotherbushing, washer and screw at the back of the handle. The closed-endright-side member is guided into a longitudinal slot in the handle bythe washers at the front and back ends of the handle.

In addition, the front and back members of the cradle are covered byprotective sleeves of rubber, plastic or other materials. These sleevesmay be easily replaced.

The design of the hand carrier of this invention results in a carrierthat is tight in weight and easily repaired. Further the operation isimproved and there is no pinching of fingers when the carrier is beingattached to a long arm firearm or being removed therefrom.

Objects, features and advantages of this invention will be come apparentfrom a consideration of the foregoing and the following description, theappended claims and the accompany drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side elevation view of the carrier of this invention inuse;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the left front of the carrier in itsclosed position in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the left front of the carrier in itsopen position in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the carrier in its closed positionwithout the securing means of a washer and screw in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the carrier in its open positionwithout the securing means in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the handle of the carrier inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevation view of the handle in accordance withthis invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the left front of the spring wire bodyof the carrier in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the left front of the carrier showingan exploded view of the securing means on the front end in accordancewith this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the invention. a rifle will be used as thelong arm firearm to be carried. Also with reference to the drawings,particularly FIG. 1 thereof, the end of the carrier nearer the barrel ofthe rifle is designated for purposes of illustration and description thefront of the carrier. The end of the carrier nearer to the stock of therifle is the back of the carrier.

The bottom of the carrier is U-shaped and is configured to cradle and tohold a rifle. The top of the carrier has a handle for carrying a riflein the carrier. When in use, the carrier is in a closed position, asshown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 9. To remove a rifle or to insert a rifle thecarrier is in an open position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The carrieris held in the open position by the spring action of the wire body orframe of the carrier. To place the carrier in the closed position, oneside of the carrier is forced toward the other side of the carrier andlocked into the closed position.

The carrier of this invention is best understood by considering sectionsor members of the body, initially separate from the handle.Advantageously, the members are all part of one body 10 as shown in FIG.8. The body 10 is preferably made of a continuous (single piece) ⅛-inchspring steel wire.

The members of the body 10 (as best seen in FIG. 8) are a front member11, a back member 12, a closed-end member 13 and an open-end member 14.

The open member 14 consists of first end 15 and a second end 16 of thecontinuous wire body 10. End 15 is bent toward end 16 and the two endshave a centerline 17 that is parallel to a centerline 18 of theclosed-end member 13.

The front member 11 is formed between the closed-end member 13 and theopen-end member 14 as follows and as best seen in FIG. 8:

The wire of body 10 has a first bend 20 at a right angle to thecenterline 18 of the closed-end member 13 to join the front member 11and the closed-end member 13. The wire progresses from the first bend 20to a second bend 21, which gently curves the wire downwardly. The closedend 13 is at the top of the carrier, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The wirecontinues in a downwardly direction to a third bend 22. This bend 22 isa triple bend and results in an inwardly extending dimple 23 on theright side of the front member 11 to aid in gripping the rifle and inincreasing the spring tension of the body 10. The wire continuesdownwardly from bend 22 to form the first leg 24 of a U 25. At thebottom of the carrier the wire of body 10 is bent into a U-shape 25 tocradle the rifle. The wire extends upwardly to form a second leg 26 ofthe U 25 and continues upwardly to a fourth bend 27. Bend 27 is also atriple bend that creates an inwardly extending dimple 28 on the leftside of the front member 11 that cooperates with dimple 23 on the rightside to securely hold a rifle. The wire continues upwardly from thefourth bend 27 and to the left to form a space above the U shape thathas a width 30 (FIG. 4) that is greater than the width 31 (FIG. 4)across the U shaped portion 25 between the legs 24 and 26. This greaterwidth 30 provides a large opening when the carrier is in its openposition for inserting the rifle into the carrier.

The wire continues upwardly to a sixth bend 33 where the wire curves tothe right toward the open-end member 14. The wire continues toward theopen-end member 14 to a seventh bend 35. Bend 35 is a right angle bendtoward the back of the carrier and joins front member 11 and open-endmember 14. The wire continues beyond bend 35 a short distance (about 7/8inch) to form a leg 36 ending at the second end 16 of the wire.

The resulting front member 11, when the carrier is in its closedposition, has a right side and a left side essentially symmetrical abouta centerline through the bottom of U 25 to the center of the handle 5.

The width 30 of the upper space is 3⅝ inches and the width 31 across U25 is 1 5/8 inches for a carrier designed for a hunting rifle of 30-06caliber and rifles of similar caliber. The overall height of the carrieris 8 1/4 inches and the overall length is 6 inches. These dimensionswill vary depending upon the long arm firearm to be carried.

The back member 12 has the same bends in the wire and U-shape at thebottom as the front member 11. For ease of reference, the elements ofthe back member have the same numbers as the elements of the frontmember except for a seventh bend 39. Bend 39 of the back member causesthe wire to bend toward the front of the carrier with a short leg 40extending along the same centerline 17 as leg 36. Leg 40 (also about ⅞″long) stops at the first end 15. The distance between the first end 15and the second end 16 when secured in the handle 5 is about 3¼″ inches.

The closed-end member 13 joins the front member 11 and the back member12 on the right side of the carrier at the top of the carrier.

The wire of the body 10 forming the front member 11 and the back member12 is best encased in a rubber sleeve 7 (FIGS. 4 and 5) to cushion therifle in the carrier. The sleeve 7 may be made of other material thatwill cover the wire and cushion and protect the rifle from abrasion bythe wire body 10.

A handle 5 completes the carrier with the wire body 10, sleeves 7 andmeans for securing the front and back members at the open end to thehandle 5.

Handle 5 will be described with reference to the right end shown inFIGS. 2-5, with the wire body 10, and in FIGS. 6 and 7, without the wirebody in place. The same description applies to the left end of thehandle 5.

The handle 5 is cylindrical in shape and is preferably made of wood orsome other hard durable material. It is 6 inches in length and 1¼ inchesin diameter. A first hole 51 is provided to receive the second end 16and leg 36 of the wire body 10. The wire adjacent bend 35 and going intobend 33 is straight (portion 34 between bends 33 and 35). A first shelf52 is provided in the handle 5 along a chord 49 ⅛^(th) inch from thecenter of the circular cross-section of the handle 5 for this part ofthe wire. This is seen best in FIGS. 6 and 9. Shelf 52 extendslongitudinally into the handle 5 to a wall 53 to permit the wire of leg36 near bend 35 to rest on shelf 52 with the end 16 of leg 36 extendinglongitudinally into the handle 5. The inner wall 53 is at a sufficientdepth to permit the closed-end member 13 to pass over the top of theopen end member 14 (and specifically legs 36 and 40) at bends 35 and 39when positioned in the handle 5. This is seen in FIGS. 4 and 9. A secondshelf 61, parallel to the first shelf 52, and on a parallel chord 64¼^(th) inch from the longitudinal center of the circular cross-sectionof handle 5, is created by a longitudinal cut or slot 59.

A third shelf 62 on the same chord 64 as shelf 61 is provided on the endof the chord opposite slot 59. This shelf 62 is a short shelf at eachend of the handle and is a rest for the wire of the closed member 13near bend 20 at the front and back of the carrier. Shelf 62 extends fromhole 51 to the outer periphery of handle 5 and is 3/8 inch in length.

The front member 11 at the bend 35 is held in place in handle 5 by abushing 54 (see FIG. 9). The bushing 54 centered on the longitudinalcenter line 50 of handle 5 is cylindrical in shape and is metallic. Thebushing has a ⅜-inch outside diameter and is 1/4 inch long. Acounter-sunk hole 55 in the end of the handle 5 accommodates the bushing54. The second end 16 and the wire beyond bend 35 are held in place bybushing 54 and a washer 56 and a screw 57, both of which are alsocentered on the centerline 50 of handle 5. (See FIG. 9) The first end 15and wire near the bend 39 on the back end are similarly held in place bya washer 60 and screw (not shown).

The bushing 54 holds the wire against inner wall 53. The bushing is heldagainst the wire near bend 35 by the washer 56 and screw 57, which isscrewed into a receiving hole 58 along the longitudinal axis of handle5.

A shallow slit 59 is cut the length of the handle 5 along and above achord 64 that is parallel to the chord of the first shelf 52. The depthof the slot 59 is sufficient to receive the diameter of the wire of theclosed-end member 13 and to hold it in place. This is best seen in FIG.4.

The front member 11 and the back member 12 are guided and held in placeinside washer 56 at the right end and a similar washer 60 at the leftend.

The dimensions given herein are not to be limiting, but are forillustrative purposes only. The sizes may be greater or smaller andstill result in a carrier within the scope of this invention. Thedimensions given are for a carrier that was designed for a hunting riflelike a 30-06 caliber rifle.

For purposes of describing the use of the invention, a rifle will beused as the long arm firearm to be carried.

To attach the one-handcarrier, first, without exception, carefullyinspect the rifle to see that it is unloaded and there are noobstructions in the barrel. Secondly, place the rifle with itslongitudinal axis approximately parallel to the user's chest with thebutt stock against a firm surface. Continuing, with one hand on theforepart of the rifle, to the rear of the muzzle, hold the rifle at anupward angle approximately forty-five degrees to the horizontal. Withthe other hand, grasp the handle 5 of the carrier and reach over andacross the rifle. Place the carrier beneath the rifle so that U 25 ofback member 12 will be positioned firmly approximately ¾ inch in frontof the trigger guard. (Also this will position the front member 11correctly.) Adjust the plane of the vertical axis of the carrier so thatit will be on the plane of the vertical axis of the rifle. (This willensure that there will be equal clearance on both sides of riflesighting equipment adjacent to the carrier.)

While continuing to hold the carrier against the bottom of the rifle,remove the other hand from the forepart of the rifle and place the handin a transverse squeezing position across the top of back member 12. Atthis point, squeeze members 11 and 12 until closed-end member 13 ridesup and over handle 5 and snaps into slot 59. The rifle is now ready fora one-hand carry with the weight of the rifle pulling downward along astraight line through the arm, wrist, and hand; thus avoiding thefatigue of one-handed carry without a carrier.

While in a one-hand, unaided carry position the rifle tends to rotateabout its longitudinal axis with the top moving toward the bearer. Thisis caused by the fingers of most people being too short to comfortablyor completely reach around the carrying circumference of the rifle. Useof the hand carrier with its in-line-with-the-arm-wrist-hand positioneliminates the fatigue of resisting this rotation and the fatigue ofgrasping the rifle with the hand opened excessively. Better and fastercontrol is gained by having a smaller carrying circumference on handle 5than the larger carrying circumference of the rifle, and less effort isrequired to reorient the muzzle of the rifle around obstacles becauseslippage of the carrying hand is eliminated.

Also, the hand carrier need not be removed before repeatedly aiming anddischarging the rifle, and the time and number of motions required toplace the rifle in aiming and firing position are the same with thecarrier on or off the rifle.

To detach the hand carrier, first, without exception, carefully inspectthe rifle to see that it is unloaded and that there are no obstructionsin the barrel.

Next, place the rifle with its longitudinal axis approximately parallelto the chest of the user and the bottom of the rifle against a firmhorizontal surface. Carefully place one hand in a transverse squeezingposition across the top of front member 11, and place the other hand ina transverse squeezing position across the top of back member 12. Atthis point squeeze front member 11 and back member 12 until closed-endmember 13 can be pushed vertically by tips of both first fingers toclear slot 59. Release the squeezing action to permit closed-end member13 to ride up and over handle 5, thereby opening the carrier andallowing its removal. Now, without adjustment, the carrier may betransferred to another rifle or user.

These procedures for attaching and detaching the hand carrier may bevaried to suit the circumstances and skill of the user. However, thesafety inspections ensuring that firearms are unloaded and barrels areunobstructed must always be done.

Accordingly, it is seen that the hand carrier of this invention is usedto carry a long arm firearm with reduced fatigue and improved control.Further, it will permit carry for a longer period of time in a quicklyaccessible position and allow aiming and discharge of the firearmimmediately. Also, the hand carrier will stay in place on the firearmduring repeated aiming and discharging. In addition, it reduces snaggingof impediments along the route of carry, it can be used while aconventional sling is attached, and it does not interfere with back orother packs.

The handle can be made of wood, plastic or other materials;waterproofed, colored (or otherwise decorated); changed in shape,dimensions, and texture. The cradle may be made of spring steel, othermetals, or composites. The cradle legs, bends, and members may bechanged in dimensions; the sleeves of the front and back members may bemade of rubber, plastic or other materials, made in different colors;and changed in dimensions.

Although the description above contains much specificity, this shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merelyproviding illustrations of one of the presently preferred embodiments ofthis invention. For example, the members and bends of the graspingcradle may be altered in dimensions to better fit certain types andgroups of long arm firearms.

Although preferred embodiments of the hand carrier have been shown anddescribed above, the invention is not limited to these specificembodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is to be determinedas claimed.

1. A carrier for a long arm firearm, the carrier having an open positionand a closed position, comprising a handle and a single strand of wirebent to form two saddles to grip and support the firearm and having aclosed end and an open end.
 2. A carrier in accordance with claim 1wherein the open end of the wire is removably attached to the handle. 3.A carrier in accordance with claim 2 wherein the handle has alongitudinal slot to receive the closed end of the wire to provide theclosed position.
 4. A carrier in accordance with claim 1 wherein theopen end has two legs with each leg extending toward the other along acenterline and ending at an end of the wire, the handle iscylindrically-shaped and has a first shelf at each end to support thewire near the open end, and a hole at each end to receive a leg of theopen end at each end of the handle.
 5. A carrier in accordance withclaim 3 further comprising a bushing at each end of the handle centeredon the center line of the handle engaging a portion of the wire near theopen end to hold the leg of the open end at each end of the handle inthe receiving hole.
 6. A carrier in accordance with claim 5 furthercomprising a washer at each end of the handle, each washer having adiameter greater than the diameter of the bushing and centered on thecenter line of the handle, each washer being on the side of the bushingaway from the wire and pushing against a bushing when in place, and ascrew at each end of the handle centered on the center line of thehandle that holds the washer and bushing in place when screwed into thehandle.
 7. A carrier in accordance with claim 6 further comprising atubular member on the front member of the wire and the back member ofthe wire.
 8. A carrier for a long arm firearm comprising a wire bent tocradle and hold the firearm in a position to be carried by one hand, thewire having an open end and a closed end, and a cylindrical handleattached to the open end member of the wire and having a longitudinalslot along a chord of the circular cross-section of the handle toreceive the closed end member of the wire, the handle further having ateach end a first shelf to support the wire near the open end and asecond longitudinal shelf extending from the slot along the chord of thehandle on which the bottom surface of the slot is located.
 9. A carrierin accordance with claim 8 wherein the handle has a third shelf on thesame chord as the second shelf for supporting a portion of the wire nearthe closed end and wherein the washer at each end guides the wire at theclosed end onto the second shelf and into the slot.